Counted In?

Read Numbers 26
 
Numbers 26:11 The line of Korah, however, did not die out.
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52-53 Then the Lord said to Moses, 53 “Divide the land among the tribes, and distribute the grants of land in proportion to the tribes’ populations, as indicated by the number of names on the list.”
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64-65 Not one person on this list had been among those listed in the previous registration taken by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said of them, “They will all die in the wilderness.” Not one of them survived except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
 
AS El Shaddai prepares to lead Israel into the Promised Land, he commands a second census to distribute the grants of land in proportion to the tribes’ populations. It was time to for Israel to remember, “Who is counted out? Who is counted in?”
   God had counted 40 years as Israel’s punishment. They did not count on God’ provision and protection to conquer the Promised Land. A generation had died in the desert – counted out.
   A new generation had matured and was born to enter the land of God’s promise - counted in. The Levite Korah rebelled against Moses and Aaron. Korah and his immediate family were swallowed up into the earth – counted out. But some of Korah’s descendants would go on to lead worship in Israel – counted in.
   Caleb and Joshua 40 years before were the two spies who urged Israel onward: “Do not rebel against the Lord, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”  “You can count on God’s power.” they might have said. In response, Israel wanted to count out Caleb and Joshua. The whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. God then stepped in to save his faithful leaders. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle. (Numbers 14:9-10) Today these two faithful men are counted among the leaders of God’s covenant nation to establish their presence in the Promised Land.
   The unfaithful are counted out of God’s promises and our Christian heritage. The faithful are counted in to receive God’s blessings and become our ancestors of the faith.
   What do you think? Would God count you out or in? Can the church count you in to be a faithful member, servant and leader. Are you counted as courageous and to do as the LORD has appointed you?
 
Revelation 7:9 “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a mighty shout, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”